Gerrard’s Warehouse eatery set to be sold
A RESTAURANT co-owned by Liverpool captain Steven Gerrard is on the verge of being sold.
The Warehouse in Southport was launched by Paul Adams 20 years ago, but the 34-year-old Anfield star bought into the business in 2010.
It is scheduled to close on May 9 but Adams – also the owner of The Vincent Hotel opposite The Warehouse – said a deal to sell the eatery was close to completion, although he would not specify the details.
Good friends Adams, 51, and Gerrard, who leaves Liverpool FC at the end of the season for LA Galaxy, will continue their business relationship when they open The Vincent Café and Cocktail Bar at Exchange Flags in Liverpool in late May.
Adams said four long-serving waiters at The Warehouse and three chefs were being redeployed at the new Liverpool outlet.
“The café and cocktail bar is more what we want to do in the future,” said Adams. “It will be open from breakfast right through until late.
“We have had a good run at The Warehouse and had some great times there.
“Stevie has been eating there since he was 17 years old – he loves fine food. We’ve had a lots celebrity diners, including Samuel L Jackson, when he was filming The 51st State in Liverpool, James Corden, Marcus Wareing and Gordon Ramsay.”
Adams said the sale of The Warehouse had not been straightforward because of its close proximity to The Vincent Hotel.
“We didn’t want to just take the money and run,” he said. “We want to make sure we can recommend it to our guests with confidence, knowing its quality will be assured.
“That the reason why we have been particular who we were selling it to.”
Gerrard’s initial involvement in The Warehouse on West Street was followed by a £250,000 refurbishment of its interior. In 2012 the owners celebrated when the West Street restaurant was awarded two AA Rosettes.
Its glory days are widely believed to be when Marc Verite was running the kitchen.
Verite, a friend of Marcus Wareing of Masterchef: The Professionals fame, eventually left to open his own bistro in nearby Birkdale village.
However, The Warehouse’s new chef Matt Worswick then received an Acorn Award, one of the hospitality industry’s top gongs.
